Echocardiographic Changes in Dogs with Stage B2 Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease Treated with Pimobendan Monotherapy.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic pimobendan monotherapy on cardiac size in dogs with stage B2 myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Data from 31 dogs diagnosed with MMVD and cardiomegaly (LA/Ao ≥ 1.6 and LVIDdn ≥ 1.

Epicardial pacemaker placement in cats is associated with resolution of clinical signs and excellent quality of life.

Objective: To describe complications and outcomes in cats undergoing epicardial pacemaker (EP) implantation for artificial cardiac pacing and to investigate improvement in clinical signs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following surgery.

Methods: 39 client-owned cats that underwent EP placement. Medical records of 4 UK-based referral hospitals were searched and data reviewed retrospectively between July 2010 and December 2022.

Growth and longevity modulation through larval environment mediate immunosenescence and immune strategy of Tenebrio molitor.

Background: The Disposable Soma Theory of aging suggests a trade-off between energy allocation for growth, reproduction and somatic maintenance, including immunity. While trade-offs between reproduction and immunity are well documented, those involving growth remain under-explored. Rapid growth might deplete resources, reducing investment in maintenance, potentially leading to earlier or faster senescence and a shorter lifespan.

Evaluating the effects of a multicomponent support service for people recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Although prior research has provided an understanding of the needs of people living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers, less is known about how tailored multicomponent interventions impact their lives. This study explored the effect of providing ongoing support to people who had been recently diagnosed with dementia and to their carers.

Methods: We conducted interviews with a convenience sample of key stakeholders: 11 interviews with people who had dementia and their familial carers (n = 14) and six interviews with staff and other practitioners involved with the service (n = 13).

The Association between Placenta Accreta Spectrum Severity and Incidence of Small for Gestational Age Neonates.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate whether pathologic severity of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is correlated with the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) and neonatal birthweight.

Study Design: This was a multicenter cohort study of viable, non-anomalous, singleton gestations delivered with histology-proven PAS. Data including maternal history, neonatal birthweight, and placental pathology were collected and deidentified.

Rapid progression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma with delayed treatment in pregnancy.

•Delayed treatment of cervical cancer in pregnancy can result in progression.•Surveillance of cervical cancer in pregnancy with pelvic MRIs every 6 weeks.•Comprehensive multidisciplinary care is essential in setting of treatment delays.

Application of a Proposed Algorithm to Cesarean Deliveries for Nonreassuring Fetal Heart Rate Tracing.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate how current management of Category II fetal heart rate tracings compares with that suggested by a published algorithm and whether these differences lead to disparate neonatal outcomes.

Study Design: This is a retrospective observational study from the resident service at an academic-community tertiary care center from 2013 to 2018. We reviewed archived fetal heart rate tracings from patients with cesarean delivery performed for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing and interpreted tracings against the algorithm.

Influential Insider: , an Intracellular Symbiont, Manipulates Bacterial Diversity in Its Insect Host.

Facultative intracellular symbionts like the α-proteobacteria influence their insect host phenotype but little is known about how much they affect their host microbiota. Here, we quantified the impact of infection on the bacterial community of the cabbage root fly by comparing the microbiota of -free and infected adult flies of both sexes. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, 16S rRNA, V5-V7 region) and performed a community and a network analysis.

Talking about depression during interactions with GPs: a qualitative study exploring older people's accounts of their depression narratives.

Background: Older people can struggle with revealing their depression to GPs and verbalising preferences regarding its management. This contributes to problems for GPs in both detecting and managing depression in primary care. The aim of this study was to explore older people's accounts of how they talk about depression and possible symptoms to improve communication about depression when seeing GPs.

Exploring the Role of Key Workers in Cancer Care: Patient and Staff Perspectives.

Purpose/aims: The key worker role in cancer services was established in England to improve the continuity of care for patients. We examined how the role has been implemented by clinical nurse specialists and how both cancer patients and nursing staff viewed its effectiveness to inform debate about the transfer of patients between clinical nurse specialists during cancer care.

Design: This study was questionnaire based, with separate surveys developed for patients and staff.

A Qualitative Study of Service Provision for Alcohol Related Health Issues in Mid to Later Life.

Aims: Epidemiological surveys over the last 20 years show a steady increase in the amount of alcohol consumed by older age groups. Physiological changes and an increased likelihood of health problems and medication use make older people more likely than younger age groups to suffer negative consequences of alcohol consumption, often at lower levels. However, health services targeting excessive drinking tend to be aimed at younger age groups.

Alcohol service provision for older people in an area experiencing high alcohol use and health inequalities.

Background: UK society is ageing. Older people who drink alcohol, drink more than those from previous generations, drink more frequently than other age groups and are more likely to drink at home and alone. Alcohol problems in later life however are often under-detected and under-reported meaning older people experiencing alcohol problems have high levels of unmet need.

Habitus of home and traditional drinking: a qualitative analysis of reported middle-class alcohol use.

There is evidence that alcohol consumption among those in middle-class occupations consistently exceeds safe levels, yet there has been little research into why this occurs. This article explores the meanings associated with alcohol use among professional, managerial and clerical workers. Qualitative data were collected from five focus groups of male and female employees aged 21-55 (N =49: 32 male, 17 female).

Intervention to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and improve comorbidity outcomes in hypertensive or depressed primary care patients: two parallel cluster randomized feasibility trials.

Background: Many primary care patients with raised blood pressure or depression drink potentially hazardous levels of alcohol. Brief interventions (BI) to reduce alcohol consumption may improve comorbid conditions and reduce the risk of future alcohol problems. However, research has not established their effectiveness in this patient population.

GPs' responses to adolescents presenting with psychological difficulties: a conceptual model of fixers, future planners, and collaborators.

Background: Psychological difficulties are common in adolescents yet are not often addressed by GPs. Anxiety and uncertainty about professional practice, with a reluctance to medicalise distress, have been found among GPs. GP involvement in this clinical area has been shown to be influenced by how GPs respond to the challenges of the clinical consultation, how they view young people and their perception of their health needs, and a GP's knowledge framework.

Patterns of engagement between GPs and adolescents presenting with psychological difficulties: a qualitative study.

Background: Psychological difficulties are common in adolescence with general practice attendees having higher rates than reported in community surveys. Yet GP identification of common mental health problems in this age group is limited. Anxiety and uncertainty around professional practice have been found among GPs and they vary in their degree of engagement with adolescents presenting with psychological difficulties.

"I think this is maybe our Achilles heel..." exploring GPs' responses to young people presenting with emotional distress in general practice: a qualitative study.

Objective: An exploratory study to investigate general practitioners' (GPs') views and experiences of consulting with young people (aged 12-19 years) presenting with emotional distress in general practice.

Design: A qualitative study using grounded theory and situational analysis. Empirical data were generated through in-depth interviews based on a topic guide developed from the literature, and augmented with a series of situational maps.

A qualitative study of alcohol, health and identities among UK adults in later life.

Increasing alcohol consumption among older individuals is a public health concern. Lay understandings of health risks and stigma around alcohol problems may explain why public health messages have not reduced rates of heavy drinking in this sector. A qualitative study aimed to elucidate older people's reasoning about drinking in later life and how this interacted with health concerns, in order to inform future, targeted, prevention in this group.

Key workers in cancer care: patient and staff attitudes and implications for role development in cancer services.

The role of the key worker in cancer services was developed in the UK and is now being adopted more widely. Although this role arose out of national guidance, little is known about how it has been implemented, and there been no systematic attempt to investigate how the role is viewed by either patients or staff. This study used a qualitative approach to explore views of the impact of the key worker role in cancer care.

The 'other' in patterns of drinking: a qualitative study of attitudes towards alcohol use among professional, managerial and clerical workers.

Background: Recent evidence shows that workers in white collar roles consume more alcohol than other groups within the workforce, yet little is known about their views of drinking.

Methods: Focus groups were conducted in five workplaces to examine the views of white collar workers regarding the effect of alcohol use on personal and professional lives, drinking patterns and perceived norms. Analysis followed the method of constant comparison.

Patients' views of antidepressants: from first experiences to becoming expert.

Background: The majority of patients discontinue antidepressant treatment earlier than prescribed. The factors behind this and the influences on patients' choices about whether to take medication remain poorly understood.

Aim: To explore factors that influence patients' decisions about taking antidepressant medication.

Experience of fertility preservation among younger people diagnosed with cancer.

Of the 293,600 cancers diagnosed annually in the UK, 11% occur in the 15- to 49-year age group. Fertility preservation options exist for those faced with the loss of fertility as a consequence of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences, attitudes and perceptions of fertility advice and treatment among cancer survivors, and the subsequent impact upon their lives.

Triggers for weight gain and loss among participants in a primary care-based intervention.

Numerous studies have sought to investigate the causes of obesity and the effectiveness of interventions for its treatment. However, there is little published evidence to describe patients' experiences of becoming and being obese. This paper reports on a qualitative study to explore the views and experiences of patients who had recently completed a primary care-based weight management intervention.

Patient experience of infertility management in primary care: an in-depth interview study.

Background: GPs do not have a full range of diagnostic resources to help manage infertile couples. Little is known about the patient experience of infertility management in primary care.

Objective: To explore the patient experience of infertility management from a primary care perspective.